Mark Wood has not ruled out joining England’s Test series against India, with the veteran fast bowler earmarking the fifth and final match at The Kia Oval – starting 31 July – as a realistic target.
The 35-year-old damaged the medial ligament in his left knee during the Champions Trophy and went under the knife in March. A four-month rehabilitation programme meant the entire India series initially looked off limits, yet Wood’s recovery has moved quicker than first forecast.
“Rehab is going well,” Wood told BBC Test Match Special. “I’ve just started bowling very lightly, so I’m on the comeback trail now officially.”
He hopes a County Championship outing for Durham away to Somerset on 22 July – a round that uses the Kookaburra ball more commonly seen in Australia – will provide the competitive tune-up required. “I’m hoping still to play a part in this series,” he said. “I’m still targeting probably the last Test. Anything before that is maybe a bit too soon. The last Test, I might not get there, but at the minute that’s still my focus that I might play a part.”
The initial stages of rehab felt glacial. “It’s been a bit slow [coming back] to start with. I haven’t been able to do a lot, but starting to speed up now, getting some bowling in, hopefully not too much longer,” Wood added. “[I am] still hoping that I can play a part right at the end of the series, but I’ll just wait and see.”
England’s medical team will tread carefully. The Ashes in Australia loom this winter and fast-bowling resources are already stretched. Olly Stone’s season was ended by his own knee issue, while Gus Atkinson missed the opening India Test at Headingley after a hamstring strain picked up against Zimbabwe.
There is slightly brighter news regarding Jofra Archer. The management believe the 29-year-old could report for the second Test at Edgbaston on 2 July, provided he comes through a scheduled appearance for Sussex against Durham this Sunday. Archer’s last first-class match was back in May 2021, curtailed by stress fractures in his back and right elbow.
Should Wood hit his Oval target, England would welcome a bowler capable of genuine 90 mph pace to complement the craft of Jimmy Anderson and the nous of Chris Woakes. For now, the seamer remains measured. His body has the final say, but the door to a late-series cameo remains ajar – and England will keep listening.
